Eye Specialist- Don't want to go!!!!!

[chloe girl]

:sad: Hi everyone,
Got a phone call the other day from a local eye surgeon. He received a letter from my rhuemy asking to have a look at my eyes, making sure no diseases or anything that being on plaq could cause. Now I am ultra nervous about having this test done. My rhuemy did mention that Plaqunil could cause a few probs with eyes and having tests is a common thing. My problem is is that I freak out when anyone goes near my eyes (not really sure why, I cant even stand people waving things in front of my eyes) and from what this eye specialist was saying, he has to put two lots of drops in and then a microscopic lense on my retina. No Way am I going to handle that!!!! I've only been on Plaq for 4 months surely I wouldn't have any problems this early in the peace??? :eek: I really want to cancel the appointment, but my husband is taking me and tells me its really important to go..Some advice please.

PS I should have mentioned this to my rhuemy, but I had no idea she was writing a letter to this eye doc.....:shrug:


Thanks guys. Denise :calm:

[Maia]

Fortunately I don't have this problem.... however my husband had his first and only full blown panic attack while at the eye doctor when they did that close up look at the retina. He has not gone back for 3 years but is now closing in on 40 so he needs to go. Even just scheduling the appointment made him start to break out in a sweat on the face and arms from him telling the receptionist of his problems last time.

I asked our regular GP if they ever give medication to calm a person down when they experience such problems and she suggested the following over drugs: bring an i-pod, visualize another place (HARD to do if you ask me if you can't close your eyes!), and also advised him to walk to the clinic and visit it a few times before hand to start to desensitize him to that environment. I'm not sure it will work... his appointment is in about 3 weeks so I'll try to remember to write back how it goes. Personally, I think medication is in order but maybe that affects the exam or something?

I hope others have some suggestions for this too...

As to Plaquenil... there is an excellent pinned post on Plaquenil and retinal toxicity. Basically, if you are taking 400 milligrams, and weigh about 135 pounds or more... there is very little risk. Furthermore, the risk is very low until you've been on it for 5-7 years or more continuously. And overall, the risk is VERY VERY low. However, it is actually recommended to have an eye exam before starting Plaquenil, and every 6 months thereafter and then after a few years some are comfortable with every 12 months especially if you are not taking the higher dose relative to weight.

Good luck. Please let me know how it goes for you and if you were able to do anything to help ;)

[alobreto]

Hi, Denise!
I really feel for you and your anxiety. If the doc wouldn't prescribe something to help me relax and I really needed it, I'd take an over-the-counter antihistamine like benadryl(diphenhydramine) an hour before the appointment. Of course, I'd call the office and ask if that would interfere with the test. I wouldn't say I took it for anxiety, though, I'd fib and say allergies.

I am phobic about Dentists and Dental Appointments so I know what it can be like. My Dentist is great, though, and doesn't have a problem with calling in an RX for one anxiety pill with the pretreatment antibiotic pills.

I can take the antianxiety pill (or benadryl) safely because my hubby drives me and the rheumy is in agreement.

I can't recommend that you do the same thing, though. It would all depend on what meds you're on, what other conditions you have, your rheumy's thoughts and input, and so forth. Can you call your rheumy and ask about the anxiety medicine? All you'd need would be 1 pill, hardly something for the rheumy to get excited about.

This eye doc has obviously never experienced severe anxiety or I'm sure this wouldn't just be brushed off.

The reason for this kind of appointment early on before the possibility of damage from plaquenil, is to get a baseline assessment and picture of the eye health for comparison with later test results. You can see that it would be much more meaningful to know what the eye was like to begin with. Then the doc is able to look for changes.

It has been my experience that NONE of the parts of the eye exam are painful. It is a bit uncomfortable to have a bright light shine in there, but it isn't for long. The drops the eye doc puts in my eyes before the lens is put on the front of my eyeball do the trick so that the eye has no feeling and I really don't feel a thing while the lens is there.

I wish you well and hope that the appointment goes off without a problem. Is this eye doc the only eye doc where you are? You might want to find a more understanding consultant.
Angela

[lwallace2]

I had my first eye exam several months ago and nothing hurt, but it WAS a little uncomfortable, and i hated how the drops made my eyes feel kind of itchy and blurry when i tried to read anything. i totally freaked out a couple of family members when i got home, cuz my pupils were still dilated, and i got a good laugh out of that one. :hehe: Hey, at least there was SOME benefit to the whole experience! LOL

But I know phobias really can't be overcome with logic or reassurances. Try to find an opthalmologist who is sensitive to your issues and can give you something to help relax you if necessary.

Personally, no matter if I had a phobia or not, I would go if I was going to take Plaquenil, b/c I'm paranoid about side effects and my eyes are the last thing I want to be affected by stuff, you know? better to be safe than sorry. you would most likely be deeply regretting not going if eventually you started noticing problems with your eyes that could have been prevented with regular monitoring...

Just my .02... :)

[helloos]

Hi Denise

I know you have anxiety for this one and I feel the same way. Just to let you know - I got through it.

I am the biggest baby when it comes to the eyes. I got through it.

It did not hurt. I was so afraid of moving my eye to get hurt that I stayed quite still and no pain. It feels a little weird when they are looking in it but it goes by pretty quickly and usually the doc tells you what is going on, etc. Just tell them you are nervous and they will make you feel better.

Honestly, it is not what you imagine at all.

[chloe girl]

:hehe: Hi everyone,

Yes I had my eye test yesterday, the doc knew how nervous I was and he was wonderful. He explained to me step by step what was going to happen and did put two lots of drops in, and the microscopic lense on my eye, but didn't tell me until after he had done it.. Sneaky hey!! I was a little bit blurry for a while but all is good. My eyes are nice and healthy and I dont need to go back for another six months. It also helped that the doctor was a cutie!!:wink2:

Thanks guys for all of your support..:bigsmile:

Denise

[Lily]

I'm glad that went OK Denise :hugbetter:

What is it with Opthamologists :hehe: mine's a cutie too, I'd walk through quicksand to get to him :rotfl:

love
Lily